Recent school boy brawls in Suva have lead to calls by some Fijian leaders for the re-introduction of corporal punishment.
And earlier in the year the Prime Minster of Samoa also threatened to reintroduce corporal punishment in response to school brawls at sporting events.
There is no evidence however that the abandonment of corporal punishment has made the situation significantly worse, or that its reintroduction would improve the situation.
Tongan Police think the level of school violence is coming down, with only 24 school children arrested and charged so far this year.
Tonga’s assistant deputy Police Commissioner, Soakai Motu’apuaka, says they’re trying an integrated approach to the problem involving the community, and it seems to be working.
And in Fiji the Ministry of Education has ruled out any possibility of reintroducing corporal punishment. Instead Education Ministry permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal has urged students involved to focus on their studies instead of retaliating.
“Let’s come to some form of reconciliation, put aside all differences, forgive one another and treat each other as friends,” he said .
Lal also urged teachers to impart virtues and values to students and teach them integrity, morality and responsibility.
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